Is it my saddle?

[SmartieBean09]

So my horse has started bucking. It’s mainly in canter but at times in trot too. Now she is an excitable horse and can be opinionated. I’ve put the bucking down to her getting excitable as having done quite a few clinics recently she seems to just want to “have fun”. She always thrown the odd small buck and squeal when she gets excited but these are much bigger and I’ve just about managed to stay on.

To ensure it it wasn’t pain related I’ve had her back checked by the Chiropractor (she has this done regularly anyway but I brought our appointment forward), she’s had her teeth done (these were due) and I’ve had the saddler out.

Saddler said nothing wrong with the saddle at all and having also known my horse previously, said that she thinks it just her being “opinionated”

However I ride her in a GFS Pro Generation which has foam panels and I’ve read that these shouldn’t be used to ride in regularly. So I’m now wondering if it’s her saddle??

I’ve owned my horse for 4 years and she’s never bucked like this.

what am I missing?

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

So my horse has started bucking. It’s mainly in canter but at times in trot too. Now she is an excitable horse and can be opinionated. I’ve put the bucking down to her getting excitable as having done quite a few clinics recently she seems to just want to “have fun”. She always thrown the odd small buck and squeal when she gets excited but these are much bigger and I’ve just about managed to stay on.

To ensure it it wasn’t pain related I’ve had her back checked by the Chiropractor (she has this done regularly anyway but I brought our appointment forward), she’s had her teeth done (these were due) and I’ve had the saddler out.

Saddler said nothing wrong with the saddle at all and having also known my horse previously, said that she thinks it just her being “opinionated”

However I ride her in a GFS Pro Generation which has foam panels and I’ve read that these shouldn’t be used to ride in regularly. So I’m now wondering if it’s her saddle??

I’ve owned my horse for 4 years and she’s never bucked like this.

what am I missing?

Have you recently changed the saddle? If you have then it definitely could be this. But also have you changed her diet? Because I've had that happen before, I changed my mares diet and she suddenly was very lively and threw a few bucks. It could also be a seasonal change, but if you've owned her for that long it probably isn't.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

As above, if saddle recently changed then by all means get it checked again. But for me bucking was the first sign of something being wrong mechanically (SI joint, hock arthritis and kissing spines). She hasn’t bucked since I sorted the above.

 

[SmartieBean09]

Have you recently changed the saddle? If you have then it definitely could be this. But also have you changed her diet? Because I've had that happen before, I changed my mares diet and she suddenly was very lively and threw a few bucks. It could also be a seasonal change, but if you've owned her for that long it probably isn't.

I’ve had the saddle for 2 years (was a Preloved saddle). I had changed her diet but only the chaff and she only gets a handful of that for her balancer. The bucking started in October and seemed to be a one off when she was spooked but since Dec continued more and more.

I should also note that bucking only occurs in the school. I took her to the forest for a good gallop to let off some steam and she was absolutely fine and hacking in general doesn’t seem to be a problem.

I wondered if it was doing the clinics, a combination of fun, being a bit tense was just blowing her brains a little bit? Hence trying to school her calmly and asking her to relax. I’m just worried that I’m missing something. We’ve done so much together and she’s always been fine until now.

 

[SmartieBean09]

As above, if saddle recently changed then by all means get it checked again. But for me bucking was the first sign of something being wrong mechanically (SI joint, hock arthritis and kissing spines). She hasn’t bucked since I sorted the above.

She has been injected for hock arthritis but on last vet visit, all ok and sound.

 

[Annagain]

Bucking on transition to canter in the school (was fine out hacking) was one of only two signs (the other was not wanting to lift his back legs) something was up with my last horse. It turned out he had kissing spine. 2 different back people looked at him, one couldn't find anything, the other thought it was his stifles. A full workup at the vet with a lameness specialist and x-rays was the only thing that found the issue

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Bucking on transition to canter in the school (was fine out hacking) was one of only two signs (the other was not wanting to lift his back legs) something was up with my last horse. It turned out he had kissing spine. 2 different back people looked at him, one couldn't find anything, the other thought it was his stifles. A full workup at the vet with a lameness specialist and x-rays was the only thing that found the issue

Mine was very similar! Only bucked on transition to canter in the school and only did it the first 1-2 transitions of each schooling session. I can only assume not being warmed up fully and the extra suppleness needed to canter on a corner maybe made the pain worse whereas out in straight lines hacking it was OK. Physio had seen her trot up and all fine whilst this was happening. Then one day cantered out hacking and she was having none of it and got me off so I got a full workup and that's when we found the hock arthritis and the KS diagnosis followed shortly after as the rehab got more intense.

 

[SmartieBean09]

Mine was very similar! Only bucked on transition to canter in the school and only did it the first 1-2 transitions of each schooling session. I can only assume not being warmed up fully and the extra suppleness needed to canter on a corner maybe made the pain worse whereas out in straight lines hacking it was OK. Physio had seen her trot up and all fine whilst this was happening. Then one day cantered out hacking and she was having none of it and got me off so I got a full workup and that's when we found the hock arthritis and the KS diagnosis followed shortly after as the rehab got more intense.

Oh crikey! Ok, perhaps I need to ask the vet for full work up. Perhaps it’s been naive of me to assume she’s all ok body wise. She was fine cantering and galloping in the forest and hill work didn’t seem to bother her at all.

 

[Annagain]

Mine was very similar! Only bucked on transition to canter in the school and only did it the first 1-2 transitions of each schooling session. I can only assume not being warmed up fully and the extra suppleness needed to canter on a corner maybe made the pain worse whereas out in straight lines hacking it was OK. Physio had seen her trot up and all fine whilst this was happening. Then one day cantered out hacking and she was having none of it and got me off so I got a full workup and that's when we found the hock arthritis and the KS diagnosis followed shortly after as the rehab got more intense.

Charlie only bucked on the right rein. To be fair to the back people (one physio one osteo) the vet suspected hocks but they were perfect on x-ray. The workup itself didn't really find a problem as he was totally sound in every test (vet didn't want to ask me to ride as I could have sued him if I was to be bucked off) so vet suggested x-raying hocks and only added spine as a precaution. I don't think he expected to find what he did!

 

[sbloom]

Horses are not "opinionated". They are in discomfort. There is no "tick box" exercise for saying a saddle is definitely not part of the problem. Trying a different saddle, pad, or bareback, starts to get you further, simply looking at the fit of the saddle can only tell you if it's more or less likely that it could be involved.

Cantering out on a hack isn't as similar to cantering in the school as people think, schooling usually shows up ridden issues way before hacking does.

 

[SmartieBean09]

Horses are not "opinionated". They are in discomfort. There is no "tick box" exercise for saying a saddle is definitely not part of the problem. Trying a different saddle, pad, or bareback, starts to get you further, simply looking at the fit of the saddle can only tell you if it's more or less likely that it could be involved.

Cantering out on a hack isn't as similar to cantering in the school as people think, schooling usually shows up ridden issues way before hacking does.

Thank you SBloom. I’ve tried different saddle pads. I’m not sure I have the courage to try bareback!

could I ask your opinion on foam panels?

when I say “opinionated” I mean as in, my horse gets excited so for example we do Trec, she knows she can do certain obstacles in canter and anticipates canter before I ask but if ask her to trot and wait, we usually get one of her “small bucks”. I certainly don’t think she’s a monster. She’s anything but. She’s always wanted to please.

 

[sbloom]

Thank you SBloom. I’ve tried different saddle pads. I’m not sure I have the courage to try bareback!

could I ask your opinion on foam panels?

when I say “opinionated” I mean as in, my horse gets excited so for example we do Trec, she knows she can do certain obstacles in canter and anticipates canter before I ask but if ask her to trot and wait, we usually get one of her “small bucks”. I certainly don’t think she’s a monster. She’s anything but. She’s always wanted to please.

There are some really interesting behaviourists/trainers to follow on FB who talk about how horse's brains work, I don't think you mean a monster but "opinionated" when a symptom is very often related to pain (and known to be) just isn't helpful from people advising you. Horses are so complex, and so many ways to improve all these sorts of issues (for instance improving a horse's balance and posture is likely to help with those sorts of transition/being held back problems), historically we've kind of rolled our eyes and laughed and felt that's just how that horse is. Always worth looking beyond that

Foam panels - I'm not a fan, but they MUST be used with a decent pad underneath as they're almost always thin, a close contact fit, designed to be used with something like a sheepskin. I much prefer flock, but there are so many other variations, there are flatter gusseted flocked panels, independent "round" panels and all the variations within each, as well as tree shape, how well the saddle has been fitted to both horse and rider. I have colleagues in Canada that fit Equipes and they do a great job with them but they really understand biomechanics, how to fit them and what to use under them.

 

[sport horse]

I would get a vet check - kissing spines can casue referred hock pain etc. The ony way you will know is vet check and x rays.

 

[claracanter]

Is she trying to tell you something?Bucking in canter transitions would make me want to get the vet out. Have you tried lunging her to see if she does it then?

 

[sbloom]

I do think at least a discussion with the vet is in order, and it looks like the GFS saddle is an older model? Foam deteriorates over time, have a feel of it, does it have decent give in it? Does it feel smooth or like it might be breaking down in places? Do you feel any different sitting in it now compared to before?

 

[SmartieBean09]

I do think at least a discussion with the vet is in order, and it looks like the GFS saddle is an older model? Foam deteriorates over time, have a feel of it, does it have decent give in it? Does it feel smooth or like it might be breaking down in places? Do you feel any different sitting in it now compared to before?

thank you. I think from other responses too that we need the vet. If anything to rule it out and put my mind at rest. I owe this horse so much already.
Ive personally never really liked the saddle but I’d tried so many on her and this was the only one we found within my budget that seemed to fit her and so we went with that. I hate my position in the saddle, I feel that my leg comes too far forward. I’ve always ridden long and feel forced to ride short to keep my leg back.

mid I can work out how to add photos I will. I’ve just arrived to the yard so will have a good feel of it.

thank you.

 

[SmartieBean09]

Is she trying to tell you something?Bucking in canter transitions would make me want to get the vet out. Have you tried lunging her to see if she does it then?

it’s mid canter and at times in trot too. I shall definitely try lunging her. Thank you.

 

[SmartieBean09]

 

[SmartieBean09]

View attachment 108916

This was my friends saddle that we tried for fit. I bought the exact same one.

 

[sbloom]

On that style of panel I'd want a bit more contact at the back of the panel but we all fit differently. The photo of the pommel doesn't sadly show what a fitter needs to see to judge width, it needs to be down, and further in to the neck, looking more backwards, taken from both sides. Obviously your saddle might fit a smidge differently anyway.

Contact/pressure under the saddle, and stability, are all that matter for the horse, but your stability affects her - being over your feet is the ultimate (close to shoulder-hip-back of heel for jumping), being right back in a chair seat in itself could cause bucking in some horses. It's always tricky if you have a limited budget, I do understand. You could ask your fitter if you could fit spacers to the stirrup bars to set your leathers back a smidge, it may help, but depends on the bar design.

 

[ponynutz]

When is she due flu jabs and stuff? if it’s soon might be worth bringing it forward and getting her checked out as well mechanically.

 

[SmartieBean09]

When is she due flu jabs and stuff? if it’s soon might be worth bringing it forward and getting her checked out as well mechanically.

She’s just had her flu. The vet is always at the yard as we rehab Polo Ponies here so I will tag on to one those visits and get her checked over. Thank you.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Good job getting saddle back and teeth checked . It does seem she i trying to tell you she is sore somewhere. Mine would buck in trot when she had gastric ulcers, hock arthritis and close vertebrae in her spine .

i hope you and your vet can find the cause relatively easily

 

[Goldenstar]

You need to involve your vet especially as she has already had an issue treated .

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I’ve had the saddle for 2 years (was a Preloved saddle). I had changed her diet but only the chaff and she only gets a handful of that for her balancer. The bucking started in October and seemed to be a one off when she was spooked but since Dec continued more and more.

I should also note that bucking only occurs in the school. I took her to the forest for a good gallop to let off some steam and she was absolutely fine and hacking in general doesn’t seem to be a problem.

I wondered if it was doing the clinics, a combination of fun, being a bit tense was just blowing her brains a little bit? Hence trying to school her calmly and asking her to relax. I’m just worried that I’m missing something. We’ve done so much together and she’s always been fine until now.

What chaff are you giving her now? If it's alfalfa in any form, stop it immediately, give her at least a week to get it our of her system before riding again.